What is The Hartford Line?In May 2018, the Hartford Line will begin service between Springfield, MA and New Haven, CT, providing connections with existing New Haven Line (Metro-North) and Shore Line East commuter rail and Amtrak rail services to New York, New London, and Boston.

When does the Hartford Line service start?Service starts in May 2018.

Where are Hartford Line train stations located?When service starts in May 2018, Hartford Line trains will stop in New Haven at Union and State Street stations, Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Hartford, Windsor, Windsor Locks, and Springfield.

When do Hartford Line trains run?Hartford Line trains operate seven days a week, including holidays. Please refer to the trip planner or full schedule above for departure times.

Where can I park?Parking varies by station. Most stations have paid parking in either daily or monthly passes. Please check your station for parking details.

How do I purchase a ticket?When the Hartford Line service launches in May 2018, tickets may be purchased at ticket vending machines available at most Hartford Line stations. One-way tickets may also be purchased onboard all Hartford Line trains for a small additional charge.

Is my Hartford Line ticket valid on regular Amtrak trains?The CTDOT is currently working to offer ticket sharing with Amtrak, Metro-North and Shore Line East so fares would be available for all trains operating within the corridor. Please check back for updates.

Is the U-Pass CT accepted aboard Hartford Line trains?Yes, the U-Pass CT is accepted aboard all CTrail Hartford Line trains with an accompanying student ID from participating schools. However, it is not accepted aboard ANY Amtrak train. For more details on the U-Pass, visit: ctrides.com/u-pass.

Where can I find New Haven information on connecting buses/shuttles?All Connecticut stations on the Hartford Line are served by CTtransit. Visit www.CTtransit.com for information. Springfield is served by PVTA and information is available at www.pvta.com.

How can I travel beyond New Haven?Hartford Line trains connect with Shore Line East and New Haven Line (Metro-North) at New Haven’s Union Station for travel to and from New York (New Haven Line) and Boston Old Saybrook/New London (Shore Line East).

How will I know if my train has been delayed?Every effort is made to alert passengers of service interruptions and/or cancellations via announcements made at each applicable train station on the public information displays. Longer term or more wide-scale disruptions will be announced to local news media, shown on the hartfordline.com website and through our social media profiles.

When traveling to New Haven, should I exit the train at State Street Station or Union Station?This depends on where you're going. Hartford Line trains stop at both stations. The State Street Station, located just two blocks from the New Haven Green, is the best choice for most downtown destinations. Union Station, the southern terminus of the Hartford Line, is the transfer point for all connecting Metro-North (New Haven Line), Amtrak, and Shore Line East trains and for CTtransit buses.

Do I need to enter Union Station to purchase a Metro-North ticket for my connecting New Haven Line train?No, passengers can purchase their Hartford Line and New Haven Line connecting tickets together at ticket vending machines located at Springfield, Hartford, Berlin, Meriden, and Wallingford. Passengers transferring to CTrail New Haven Line (operated by Metro-North) may also purchase their ticket on board the connecting Metro-North train with cash or credit cards. To avoid the surcharge, passengers must show the Metro-North conductor their Hartford Line ticket stub/receipt before purchase.

Where can I purchase my Hartford Line Monthly ticket?Monthly Ticket Vending Machines are located at most stations, except Windsor and Windsor Locks, where the tickets are purchased at the destination.

Do children ride free?
Up to four children between ages of 5 and 11 may travel for $1 with a fare paying adult. Additional children will be charged the adult fare. If you're continuing your trip on a CTrail New Haven Line (Metro-North) train, for up to four children ages 5-11 traveling with a fare paying adult, the fare is $1. Any additional children ages 5-11 will be charged half the adult fare.
All children under 5 years of age travel free.

Are military discounts available?Hartford Line does not offer a military discount.

Can Hartford Line tickets be refunded?Unused single-trip tickets are refundable before their expiration date by mail only. The unused portion of a Ten-Trip Tickets is refundable by mail only. Monthly tickets are refundable by mail only. The redemption value of unused or partially used Hartford Line monthly tickets is determined based on the calendar day of the month that the ticket is postmarked for refund. Additional refund details will be provided prior to May 2018.

Can lost Hartford Line tickets be replaced?Lost, damaged, or stolen tickets can neither be refunded nor replaced.

During AM peak travel, if a Hartford Line train is late arriving at New Haven Union Station, will the connecting New Haven Line train wait?New Haven Line trains are able to wait up to five minutes to accommodate Hartford Line connecting passengers at New Haven's Union Station.

What if an item is lost on board a Hartford Line train? The Hartford Line will have Lost & Found contact information when service starts.

Are there restrooms on the trains?Yes, lavatory facilities are available on designated Hartford Line cars as well as at Hartford Station, New Haven's Union Station and Springfield Station.

Are pets allowed on trains?Trained service animals assisting persons with disabilities are permitted without restriction. Pets are allowed if they are leashed or confined in a closed, ventilated container. Pets must not create a disturbance for other passengers and must not occupy seats.

Is luggage storage available?Only items that can be safely carried and stored by passengers are permitted onboard the trains. Items that may cause safety hazards or inconvenience to other passengers are not permitted. There is no checked baggage on Hartford Line trains.

Can I bring a bicycle onto the train?The existing train equipment planned for use on the CTrail Hartford Line does not include accommodations for bicycles. However, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is investigating the feasibility of making such accommodations. Please note that there will be bicycle racks at CTrail Hartford Line stations. The new stations in Berlin, Meriden and Wallingford will each have four hoop bike racks and the State Street Station in New Haven will have 14 hoop bike racks.

Does the Hartford Line offer a ten-ride ticket like the bus fares?Yes, you can purchase a ten-ride ticket at ticket vending machines, and the customer service center in New Haven’s Union Station. This ticket is non-transferable.

Will the schedule change or will trains run more frequently at peak weekday times?The train schedule for the Hartford Line is currently available above and in the Trip Planner. There may be minor adjustments to the schedule to improve efficiency and connectivity to other services. Additional train frequency is not anticipated at this time. However, customers will be notified in advance should the schedule change or be augmented with additional departures.

Will I be able to buy a universal pass or travel card that allows travel on the Hartford Line, New Haven Line (Metro-North), Shore Line East and CTtransit buses?Currently a universal travel card is being explored by the Connecticut Department of Transportation, but is not currently available. However, one-way, weekly, 10-ride, monthly, senior/disabled and school are available at each station with ticket vending machines.

Will Hartford Line and Amtrak tickets between Springfield, MA and New Haven cost the same?Hartford Line fares are available at the link above the Trip Planner and may vary from the Amtrak fares.

Will I be able to get to Bradley International Airport from the Hartford Line?Convenient and frequent service to the Airport from the Hartford Line will be available using the Airport Express. The Airport Express will serve Bradley International Airport (Windsor Locks), Hartford Union Station, and the Hartford Convention Center. Currently CTtransit Route 30 provides service to Bradley International Airport from Hartford Union Station. More information here.

Will train delays and real-time information be available online?The Hartford Line schedule is available in Trip Planner above and will appear on the Passenger Information Display Screens at each station. The Connecticut Department of Transportation is working with its partners to eventually provide real-time departure data both online and at station locations.

Can I purchase a Hartford Line ticket at a Metro-North ticket vending machine?Yes, you can purchase a Hartford Line connecting ticket with Metro-North when you purchase your New Haven Line ticket at a Metro-North ticket vending machine (TVM).

Interested in more about the new Hartford Line rail service? The CTDOT can provide a speaker at your organization's or community meeting. If you are interested in scheduling a speaker, please contact us at the address above.

Union Station in New Haven, CT offers connections to continued travel to destinations such as New York and Boston. All train conductors are happy to assist in directing you to where your connecting train is stationed.

Springfield Station in Massachusetts, MA provides passengers with connections to make transfers to other rail lines for continued travel in the northeast.

Additional Connecting Service:

Additional service via Amtrak is available for passengers traveling throughout Connecticut and New York, as well as towards Providence, and Boston. Amtrak tickets can be purchased online at Amtrak.com, or at Springfield and Union Stations.

Connections-Bus

Finding Bus Connections:

CTtransit provides local bus service throughout Connecticut from each Hartford Line station. Service lines will vary by station. Check your station for bus boarding areas and routes. For more information on bus services visit CT transit [https://www.cttransit.com/services]

New Haven Connector:

The New Haven Connector bus offers a weekday shuttle service to Hartford Line Monthly Plus ticket holders needing transportation to employers not located within walking distance of Union and State Street stations. The AM connection is made at New Haven State Street and the PM connection at New Haven Union Station. Commuters must show the bus driver their Shore Line East Monthly Plus train ticket OR pay a fare of $1.50. (note, starting Dec 4 will be $1.75)

Union Station Shuttle:

There’s a FREE weekday shuttle connecting rail passengers using New Haven Union Station to additional off-site parking locations, including the Temple Street Garage and the parking lot at the former Coliseum site. All shuttle trips extend to the New Haven Green, creating easy connections to all other CTtransit local bus routes in New Haven. Full details and schedule here.

Where to Board Buses:

On weekday mornings, New Haven Connector buses are located in front of State Street Station. Buses depart a few minutes after each train’s arrival and loop throughout downtown New Haven.

Frequency:

On weekday evenings, buses begin their loops approximately 20 minutes before Shore Line East departure times, and arrive at Union Station approximately 5 minutes before Shore Line East departure times.

Direct bus service to Bradley International Airport via the Airport Express is available from the Hartford, Windsor, and Windsor Locks Stations. For more information, visit [link pending]

Parking

More Parking Policies TBD –

MERIDEN Parking Pricing:

- Parking fees for both the garage and surface lot were determined by an analysis of local market rates. For non-rail passengers parking is free for the first two hours, then $7 per day or $40 per month.

- When the Hartford Line launches in May 2018, the discounted parking rates for rail passengers will be $2 per day or $20 per month. Parking is free on weekends and Federal holidays for everyone.

WALLINGFORD, BERLIN Parking Pricing:

- A public comment period on the proposed fares will run from October 23, 2017 to November 27, 2017. For more information, visit www.ct.gov/dot/hartfordlinecomments.

- Parking prices for all users are $2 per day or $20 per month, with free parking on weekends and Federal holidays.

General Guidelines

General Guidelines:

•Please be courteous of other passengers.

•Do not block or hold seats with belongings.

•Help keep the stations and trains clean by properly disposing of trash.

•Headsets are required when using audio devices.

Disabled Access

Disabled Access:

All trains and stations are handicapped accessible. Train personnel will assist in boarding and de-training. Personal Care Attendants (PCAs - people employed to assist individuals with disabilities) are eligible to ride commuter railroads free when accompanying a passenger with a disability. Where required, the PCA must carry identification which shows that he or she is employed by an agency that provides services to people with disabilities.

Some stations are equipped with a lift operated by train personnel. Passengers with disabilities are encouraged to call 1-877-CTrides (1-877-287-4337) for specific questions.

Restrooms

Restrooms:

Lavatory facilities are available on board the Hartford Line on a designated car - please inquire with any crew member of its location. Lavatory facilities are also available at the following stations: Springfield and New Haven's Union Station.

Pets

Pets and Service Animals:

Trained service animals assisting the disabled are permitted without restriction. To be permitted on board any train all pets are required to either be leashed or confined in a closed, ventilated container. Pet owners must also be mindful of other passengers, and ensure their pets do not occupy empty seats.

Smoking

Smoking:

Is prohibited on all trains as well as in and around stations.

Baggage

Baggage:

Items that can be safely carried and stored by passengers are permitted onboard. Items likely to cause safety hazards or inconvenience to fellow passengers or crew are not permitted.

Bicycles

Bicycles:

The Hartford Line allows bicycles on board trains operating between New Haven and Springfield. All bicycles must be stored in a safe and secure manner to allow for emergency egress by passengers. The cyclist should remain near the bicycle, and must obey instructions of the train crew. To ensure space availability, bicycle groups should contact ______ prior to travel. For more bicycle information, such as storage and access, please call 1-877-CTrides (1-877-287-4337) with any questions.

Passengers traveling outside of the Hartford Line should direct inquiries to Amtrak [http://www.amtrak.com/bring-your-bicycle-onboard] at (800) 872-7245 for current bicycle policies.

Lost and Found

Lost and Found:

All items found on board Hartford Line trains are returned to New Haven’s Union Station Lost and Found Department.

The Lost and Found Department can be reached by calling 1-877-CTrides (1-877-287-4337) with any questions.

Title VI

The Hartford Line is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation, denied benefits, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity, on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

Shore Line East as a recipient of federal financial assistance will ensure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, and related statutes and regulations in all Shore Line East programs and activities.

Any person who believes that he or she has been subjected to discrimination or retaliation based on their race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability may file a Title VI complaint. Complaints may be filed directly to Connecticut Department of Transportation or to the Federal Funding agency. Complaints must be filed in writing and signed by the complainant or a representative and should include the complainant's name, address, and telephone number or other means by with the complainant can be contacted. Complaints must be filed within 180 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act.

To request additional information on Shore Line East's non-discrimination obligations or to file a Title VI complaint, please submit your request or complaint in writing to:

Connecticut Department of Transportation

Attention: Debra Goss, Title VI Coordinator

2800 Berlin Turnpike

Newington, CT 06111

Email: Debra.goss@ct.gov

Information on the CTDOT Title VI Policy.

Please print out this form, fill it out and mail it to: CTDOT or the Federal Transit Administration.

The CTrides Emergency Ride Home (ERH) program is a service provided by the Connecticut Department of Transportation for employees who work in Connecticut and who regularly use an alternative commute to work. If an emergency arises, the ERH program will reimburse commuters who meet the guidelines for their trip, up to four (4) times a year. More info: [http://ctrides.com/erh]

Safety

Train Safety:

It is essential to be extra careful around train tracks, whether waiting at a station, or in a car or on foot approaching a rail crossing. Trains can come from either direction at any time, so remember to stay alert and heed all warning signs and signals. Here are some quick tips for staying safe at the station and around the tracks.

At the Station:

· Avoid running around the station and near the platform.

· Always wait behind the yellow line on the station platform. Never sit on the edge of a station platform.

· Stay at least three feet from the train while it is arriving at or departing from the station.

· Do not cross the yellow line to board your train until it has come to a complete stop. Never board or exit a moving train.

· When boarding, watch your step. There may be a gap between the train and the platform.

· Follow directional signs and warning signals when crossing tracks. Do not cross the tracks until you know it is safe to do so.

· When parked at a station do not leave valuables in your car. The Hartford Line and the Connecticut Department of Transportation as well as its assigned representatives do not take responsibility for damaged vehicles or property.

For more information on rail safety, visit [link] Operation Lifesaver.